Virginia Cooperative Extension - Russell County

08/25/2026

Don't forget the Forage Field Day at the SWVA AREC in Glade Spring - 8/27 at 5 pm!

We will tour the Regional Corn Variety Trial, discuss nitrogen uptake and application timing, virtual fencing, new soil test lab procedures, etc. DINNER! Call the Extension Office to register: 276-889-8056

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Russell County Extension Office at (276-889-8056) during business hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

08/24/2026

School is back in session, and so is our 4-H In-A-Bag Cooking Program! Youth will create a delicious batch of homemade applesauce while learning basic cooking skills, kitchen safety, and food preparation techniques. It's a fun, hands-on way to build confidence in the kitchen and enjoy a tasty treat at home!

What is In‑A‑Bag?
In‑A‑Bag is a free, hands‑on cooking kit designed to help youth practice measuring, mixing, kitchen safety, and confidence in the kitchen. This activity is open to youth ages 5–18, and families are welcome to participate together. An optional Zoom bake‑along will also be offered for those who want to cook alongside us.

Each kit includes nearly everything needed to make a batch of applesauce at home, along with instructions. (A short list of simple household ingredients will be provided.)

📝 Registration Deadline: August 26
https://tinyurl.com/RUSSELLAPPLESAUCE
📦 Kit Pickup: Russell Extension Office
🗓 Pickup Dates: September 2 & 3 | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
📺 Zoom Bake‑Along: September 3 at 6:30 PM

This program is free for Russell County families, with one kit per household while supplies last.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Ashley Clark, Russell County Extension Office at 276-889-8056/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

08/21/2026

We're accepting applications for a part-time 4-H Program Educator! Apply online at:

Job Description Assist in administering and promoting a comprehensive 4H youth development programs to youth within the locality. Assist the 4-H Agent in recruiting, training, and managing volunteers and youth participating in the 4H program. This includes the development and management of 4-H commu...

08/21/2026

Things got electric at our 4-H Homeschool Club meeting! ⚡️🍀

Yesterday, our 4-H’ers dove into the world of electricity and circuit building! 🔋💡 Youth got hands-on as they built their own circuits and worked to light up light bulbs.

We learned about open and closed circuits and put that knowledge into action through real-world, hands-on experiences. There’s nothing better than learning by doing! 🙌

📅 Our next 4-H Homeschool Club meeting will be September 23rd!

08/20/2026

Join us on Tuesday, September 1 for a program covering the basics of jams and jellies!

Take home a half-pint jar of pepper jelly and blueberry spice jam!
Cost: $15
Location: 107 Sulphur Springs Circle Castlewood, VA 24224
Time: 5:30

To register, call 276-889-8056, email [email protected], or at https://tinyurl.com/russelljamandjelly

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Kristen Gibson, Russell County at 276-889-8056/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

08/20/2026

Join us today as we kick off a brand‑new year of learning, friendship, and hands‑on fun with our Russell County 4‑H Homeschool Club!

📅 Date: August 20
📍 Location: Virginia Cooperative Extension – Russell County Office
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM

This club is a wonderful opportunity for homeschool families to connect, explore new skills, and grow together through the 4‑H experience. Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, we can’t wait to see you there! 💚

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Ashley Clark, Russell County Extension Office at 276-889-8056/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

08/19/2026

ATTENTION GARDENERS!
Did you know that our office has a Seed Sharing Library?

We're working to expand our collection, especially with rare, open-pollinated, and heirloom varieties, and we'd love your help.

Do you have a special seed that's been passed down through your family? Maybe a bean from Grandma's garden, a treasured tomato variety, or a unique flower with a story behind it? We'd love to preserve both the seed and the history that comes with it. You don't have to donate much. We have volunteers willing to grow seeds out and help increase our stock.

Not every seed has to be rare, though!

This is the perfect time of year for seed saving. If your flower garden or vegetable garden has produced more seeds than you can use, please consider sharing them with your community. Whether you have a handful of seeds or a whole basket full, every donation makes a difference.

What Is a Seed Sharing Library?

A Seed Sharing Library helps:

🌿 Increase access to healthy, locally grown food
📚 Provide education about gardening, seed saving, and local food systems
👵👧 Connect generations by preserving family stories, traditions, and growing knowledge
🌱 Protect heirloom and regionally adapted varieties that might otherwise be lost
♻️ Promote sustainability by empowering people to become stewards of their own food supply
💰 Reduce the cost of gardening by making seeds more accessible
🌼 Encourage beginning gardeners to give gardening a try without a large investment

By sharing seeds today, you're helping preserve our region's agricultural heritage for future generations.

Interested in donating seeds or sharing a family seed story?

Contact us or stop by the office. We would love to hear from you!

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Scott Jessee, Russell County Extension Office at 276-889-8056/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120. See less

08/19/2026

VIRGINIA BEEHIVE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM – 2026 APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON!

Interested in getting started with beekeeping? This is your opportunity!

VDACS will be accepting applications for the The Virginia Beehive Distribution Program during the following open application period:

📅 August 25 – September 9, 2026

The program helps promote and expand honey bee populations across Virginia by providing beehives to eligible participants.

⏰ Mark your calendar! Applications are only accepted during the open application period.

👉 Learn more & apply through VDACS:
https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beehive-distribution-program.shtml

08/19/2026

See the results from last night's VQA sale at: https://tinyurl.com/August2026AFCAresults

Make plans to join us for another great sale on September 22nd!

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Scott Jessee, Russell County Extension Office at 276-889-8056/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

08/19/2026

We hope that you join us this afternoon!

Our 4‑H Stockmen’s Team is kicking off right after school (around 3:45 PM) this Wednesday, and we’d love to have you join us as we prepare for the Russell County Fair.

📅 August 19
📍 VCE–Russell County Office

Contact [email protected] or call 276‑889‑8056 for details.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Ashley Clark, Russell County Extension Office at 276-889-8056/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.